Two Kent MPs have slammed the treatment of City Link employees after the parcel delivery company announced on Christmas Eve that it was going into administration.

More than 70 employees at depots in Ashford and Aylesford face losing their jobs and thousands of customers will be let down.

The announcement prompted Ashford MP Damian Green and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch to release a joint statement expressing their shock at the timing of the closure and calling for urgent discussions with ministers.

Mr Green said: "The whole business has been handled very badly and I will be trying to ensure something is salvaged, for the sake of the employees."

Miss Crouch added: "The manner in which employees have been treated in this process is utterly appalling. The least they deserve now is the best possible redundancy terms and support from the government where possible."

Cllr Brendan Chilton, the Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Ashford, is also fighting the workers' cause.

He said: "Today I have written to the Secretary of State asking him to intervene to help save jobs in Ashford. The way this decision was handled is appalling.

"Why should families suffer while the owner of the business just walks away leaving the tax payer to foot the bill? My thoughts go to those families and customers affected by this decision.”

A statement on City Link's website advises customers to collect any undelivered parcels as soon as possible.

It says: "The business has ceased to accept new parcels from customers and its depots will remain open for a short period of time to enable customers or intended recipients to collect parcels."